Opinion

An election just like any other

There is a palpable unease within the Democratic Party. After all, why hasn't Barack Obama pulled away from John McCain in the polls?

Here we are with a struggling economy, an unpopular war, high gas prices, mortgage meltdown and an old coot with a wicked temper running for the Republicans. Shouldn't the urbane and unflappable Obama be ahead by at least 14 points? What is wrong with Americans?

Obama himself has questioned the wisdom of voters, wondering at a gathering in San Francisco why, with all our tribulations, voters do not cry, "Toss the bums out, we're starting from scratch, we're starting over."

If only it were so simple.

It's often said that loathing of an opposing candidate is not enough for victory. And aversion to George Bush is not, on its own, enough reason to spur a realignment of the electorate. This election, in fact, despite the fruitless attempts of Obama, is a traditional battle between the left and the right. It's about policy and, the worst distraction of all, politics.

Initially, Obama seemed unwilling to participate in this repugnant world. On the other side, the more aggressively political McCain has become, the more Republicans seem to believe they can actually win this thing.

Candidates, of course, should not take elections too personally. Any two generic nominees are likely to split the nation somewhere in half. Our fundamental attitudes about the world do not change simply because we're stuck with an incompetent president, a bad spot in the economy or a spiffy ad.

Advertisement

At some point, though, we need to hear where candidates stand on policy. This is where Obama struggles. Politics is about divisions.

The first sign of trouble was energy. As soon as gas prices approached $4 a gallon, Republicans, sensing real anger, demanded more domestic energy production. Democrats found themselves in a dangerous spot; as sentinels of Earth's well-being, they were unwilling to cede that more drilling should even be part of a solution, calling it a "gimmick" and "hoax."

Well, now nearly every Democrat, including Obama, supports this "hoax." It's the sort of convenient policy shift that reminds us of . . . well, of every politician who has ever walked the planet.

Such political calculations have been the trademark of Obama. On public finance for his campaign, immigration policy, international trade and retroactive immunity for phone companies, it's been about political expediency.

Obama recently told evangelical preacher Rick Warren that the most difficult decision he's ever made was his opposition to the Iraq (while in the Illinois legislature). Yet, even with his defining issue, Obama has modified his position as polls dictate.

So when we throw the bums out for the sake of change, what will we be changing to? What kind of policies would take the place of the ones wrought by those bums?

Politics as usual.

Americans, not long ago, rightly threw Republican bums out of Congress only to have them replaced by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, two of the most ineffective political leaders in the memory of the republic.

Polls show that Congress now holds a lower approval rating (in the single digits) than the famously low approval rating of the president.

McCain, let's not forget, faces an enormous uphill battle, lacking money, excitement and support. He's certainly flipped and flopped with the best of 'em.

But in the end, this country is divided between right and left. Higher taxes or lower. Pro-choice or pro-life. Stay in Iraq or leave. Whatever your issue, there is no "we" in compromise. Why should there be? It's not about candidates, it's about policy.

And this election, despite the grandiose talk, is still about a narrowly divided nation.

It always has been.

Reach columnist David Harsanyi at 303-954-1255 or dharsanyi@denverpost.com.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story